Hello Claudia!

In response to your query, a museum I worked for in SC regularly challenged
visitors to think about cultural symbols and ideas that were
"controversial".  In many of those instances, we used interpretive labels
that questioned visitors.  We also provided exhibit notebooks where
visitors could record their thoughts or vent, when necessary.  These
notebooks, while simple enough, were incredibly effective and provided
curators with information on what our visitors were thinking and whether or
not we were getting the point across.

The Strong Museum in Rochester also uses excellent interactive techniques
to encourage visitors to really think about objects and ideas we regularly
take for granted.

As an aside, AASLH's spring issue of History News is all about controversy
and how we can use controversial subjects as a tool for learning.
Deanna J. Kerrigan
AASLH
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